In a horrific incident, 13 people died, and over a dozen got ill on Wednesday after consumption of illicit liquor 'packet arrack' in Kallakurichi, Tamil Nadu. After the hooch tragedy was reported, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin ordered a CB-CID inquiry on the issue.
Taking swift action, the Tamil Nadu government has transferred District Collector Sravankumar Jatavath. MS Prashanth has been appointed as the new Collector for Kallkurichi district. Moreover, Kallakurichi SP Samaysingh Meena has been suspended. In place of him, the government has appointed Rajath Chaturvedi as the new SP. Moreover, 9 police officials including those from the prohibition wing of Kallakurichi district have been placed under suspension.
Meanwhile, the illicit arrack peddler has been arrested. According to Tamil Nadu officials, they have seized 200 litres of arrack, which shows a mix of ''methanol''. According to the government, after consuming arrack, the victims complained of vomitting and stomach pain and were admitted on June 19 in Kallakurichi Medical College Hospital.
Quoting news reports, Leader of opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami said that approximately 40 people have been hospitalised after drinking illicit arrack. "Deaths due to illicit arrack consumption is continuing ever since the DMK regime took over and I have been raising the issue and seeking action in state Assembly as well,"
Opposition leader Palaniswami has demanded that the state government take tough action on the issue. "Precious lives of poor people have been lost in Kallakurichi," the former Chief Minister said.